Forum Discussion

rickjf's avatar
rickjf
Explorer
Oct 13, 2014

upgrading tires

Hi,
I'm buying new tires for the trailer, as 20,000 miles has done
in the marathons. I plan on buying maxxis, but not sure on
whether to buy load range E vs D. the Ds seem adequate, as that's 2580 per wheel I think, and the gvwr of the TT 10,000.
What would be some good reasons to pay for the uprade?
Rick
  • rickjf's avatar
    rickjf
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2014
    Ordered the LR "E"s today. a little extra beef never hurts.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2014
    rbpru wrote:
    In as litigious a society as we have now, if ST tires were the bombs some claim, the trailer and tire companies certainly would not use them on the millions of TT tire being sold. They are playing the numbers. Most TTs will sit far more than they are towed. Just about any tire will work for them.

    There is no doubt that LT tires will work in TT service, they have been used for years. One would think that given the volume of LT vs. ST tires produced that LT would be the less costly of the two. But the industry uses STs. There must be a reason.There certainly is. And you just nailed it. Cost.
    Like anything else, it costs more to make a better product.
    LT tires come in many price points, and quality levels. STs... Not so much.

    Nobody want to be sued or issue a recall for inferior tires.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2014
    In as litigious a society as we have now, if ST tires were the bombs some claim, the trailer and tire companies certainly would not use them on the millions of TT tire being sold.

    There is no doubt that LT tires will work in TT service, they have been used for years. One would think that given the volume of LT vs. ST tires produced that LT would be the less costly of the two. But the industry uses STs. There must be a reason.

    Nobody want to be sued or issue a recall for inferior tires.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2014
    rbpru wrote:
    The manufacturer puts the least expensive tire that will do the job. They use STs because STs are designed for trailer use.

    I run the tires that came with the TT because they still have lots of tread on them. On my recent trip we went 6000 miles and I had one flat due to a large metal staple I picked up somewhere. I also had a flat on my TV because of a rock puncture. Neither of these flats was related to tire quality.

    I understand why people upgrade their tires for peace of mind. But, a staple is a staple and it does not care how expensive or well-made the tire is.

    Admittedly, when it is time to replace tires I will probably review the tire spec’s and go with what seems right to me at the time. In the mean time I keep them to recommended pressure, keep the lugs to the proper torque, drive at 55 to 60 mph and let the tires do what they were designed to do.


    What many of us have learned the hard way, is that STs have a tendancy to let go all at once. Slinging the steel belts around at highway speed can cause thousands in damage to the TT and ruin the trip.

    A premptive upgrade can avoid this
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2014
    The manufacturer puts the least expensive tire that will do the job. They use STs because STs are designed for trailer use.

    I run the tires that came with the TT because they still have lots of tread on them. On my recent trip we went 6000 miles and I had one flat due to a large metal staple I picked up somewhere. I also had a flat on my TV because of a rock puncture. Neither of these flats was related to tire quality.

    I understand why people upgrade their tires for peace of mind. But, a staple is a staple and it does not care how expensive or well-made the tire is.

    Admittedly, when it is time to replace tires I will probably review the tire spec’s and go with what seems right to me at the time. In the mean time I keep them to recommended pressure, keep the lugs to the proper torque, drive at 55 to 60 mph and let the tires do what they were designed to do.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2014
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    djgarcia wrote:
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    Buy the best tires you can get for your rig...Nobody ever ever said "I wish I would have spent less money and gotten the cheaper ones". What price does peace of mind cost?..

    B.O.


    "words of wisdom from a wise and experienced RVer" Right On!!
    Thanks for the vote of confidence. I run Michelin XPS Ribs on mine. Yes they were expensive, but they hold the same air pressure for months, run cool and haven't given me any trouble in about 20,000 miles of running across the country. If my rig was heavier I would run Goodyear G-614s or step up to the 17.5 inch wheels and tires....You really do get what you pay for when you buy tires. I can't think of many things that would be worse than changing out a blown tire on the side of the road...

    B.O.

    Hello B.O.,
    Ironically, I have the Good Year G614 Lt, G rated tires on my 5th. wheel and have had no tire problems going on 3 years:) When I looked at my new Heartland 5th wheel, it had Tow Masters tires. I told the dealer we had a deal IF he would change out the Tow Masters for Goodyear 614 G rated tires, we have a deal:) He said "no problem" The switched the tires at the Heartland factory before it was delivered:):)
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2014
    djgarcia wrote:
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    Buy the best tires you can get for your rig...Nobody ever ever said "I wish I would have spent less money and gotten the cheaper ones". What price does peace of mind cost?..

    B.O.


    "words of wisdom from a wise and experienced RVer" Right On!!
    Thanks for the vote of confidence. I run Michelin XPS Ribs on mine. Yes they were expensive, but they hold the same air pressure for months, run cool and haven't given me any trouble in about 20,000 miles of running across the country. If my rig was heavier I would run Goodyear G-614s or step up to the 17.5 inch wheels and tires....You really do get what you pay for when you buy tires. I can't think of many things that would be worse than changing out a blown tire on the side of the road...

    B.O.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2014
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    Buy the best tires you can get for your rig...Nobody ever ever said "I wish I would have spent less money and gotten the cheaper ones". What price does peace of mind cost?..

    B.O.


    "words of wisdom from a wise and experienced RVer" Right On!!
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2014
    Buy the best tires you can get for your rig...Nobody ever ever said "I wish I would have spent less money and gotten the cheaper ones". What price does peace of mind cost?..

    B.O.

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